Best fixings for conversion composite board?

[mattius]

We have a camper king conversion and the table for the passenger swivel seat has just been fixed with some self tappers in the composite board.

What's the best fixings for things like this?

I was looking at t nuts, but that a) involves a large hole, b) removing the panel.

Is there any other options for strong fixings people have used?

 

[Badjamin]

Do you mean where the bracket screws into the table top?

This is an interesting one. Self tappers may be okay. If you are wanting a stronger grip and if the size of the holes in the bracket allow it (If they are wide enough) I'd go for the below as they (in my opinion) do better in composite board. However this is a method I'd use for a first fix rather than to reinforce.



You'd need to be quite precise with the application though. Drilling a wider hole to screw into could go wrong obvs - you don't want to drill through completely and it will likely be hard to keep the holes alligned.

Perhaps a better option

Maybe unscrew the bracket and apply some thick 3m adhesive double side tape around the footprint of the bracket and stick it on the table (in line with the original placement) then screws back in (maybe a bit of wood glue in the holes too). Could get messy if you ever want to change table top.

Or

Probably the easiest method would be to drill a few more hole through the bracket and add more self tappers.

If you mean where the bracket attaches to the van then am not sure what you mean - please send photo

 

[mattius]

The problem with self tappers and the likes of above are they are only strong in the attaching direction.

For the likes of a table on the arm, they aren't strong.

For metal I would normally use rivnuts or captive nuts on a plate on the other side.

I feel there must be a better fixing that I am missing other than screwing something directly into the composite board which is never gonna get a good fixing.

 

[Badjamin]

What are you wanting to use the table for? The fact that it is a mono aluminium/mild steel armed articulated fold out surface to start with will always mean there are limitations in it's stability, strength and usage. A plate of food, a laptop, a little stove maybe...

i feel like you need to get a stronger table material like solid wood perhaps. Bolt it on with t nuts and then put a nce laminated graphic over the top for the finish and to cover t nuts.

 

[mattius]

Its only ever going to be an occasional table as you mention by design.

I'm just intrigued how other people mount them?

As 4 self tapping screws will never be robust without even taking into consideration weight on the table. It's design means even rotation means you are pulling against the screws.

 

[Badjamin]

I was contemplating buyin one of these. Do you have any photos?